The activation of the Compensation Mechanism for Commercial Fishing, financed by the Environmental Fund with an allocation of 1,2 million euros, aimed at fishermen affected by the restrictions resulting from the creation of the Recife do Algarve Marine Natural Park – Pedra do Valado, will be announced tomorrow, at 17:30 pm, at the shelter port of Albufeira.
The announcement is part of a presentation session of the new Marine Natural Park, created in the Algarve sea, between the areas of Albufeira and Lagoa, including the bay of Armação de Pêra, which is attended by the Minister of Environment and Energy and the Secretary State of Fisheries.
This mechanism will benefit 167 fishermen, “minimizing the short-term impacts of the creation of the PNMRA-PV for commercial fishing resulting from restrictions on access to certain areas, and contributing to the adaptation to the new reality of commercial fishing vessels that are currently operating in the area", highlights the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF), which promotes the session.
The creation of the consultative commission for the preparation of the PNMRA-PV Special Program will also be announced, with a view to «the elaboration of a conservation and management strategy for this new protected marine area».
Also present will be the presidents of the Municipal Chambers of Albufeira, José Carlos Rolo, Lagoa, Luís Encarnação, and Silves, Rosa Palma, as well as representatives of the Armação de Pêra Fishermen's Association, the Albufeira Fishing Professionals Association, the Centro de Algarve Marine Sciences (CCMAR) from the University of Algarve and the Oceano Azul Foundation.
The Recife do Algarve-Pedra do Valado Marine Natural Park occupies an area of 156,23 square kilometers, which includes the entire marine strip in the municipality of Silves and a substantial part of the marine strip in the municipalities of Lagoa and Albufeira.
It constitutes one of the richest areas in terms of biodiversity nationally, benefiting from particular oceanographic conditions. In this area is Pedra do Valado, considered the largest coastal reef in the Algarve and one of the largest in Portugal, presenting unique natural values in the context of the Portuguese coast.
Since January 5, 2024, this area has been classified as a marine natural park, assuming the name of Marine Natural Park of Recife do Algarve – Pedra do Valado, integrated into the National Network of Protected Areas.
In the PNMRA-PV, 889 species were identified, of which 703 are invertebrates, 111 are fish and 75 are algal species. 24 vulnerable species and/or species with conservation status were also identified, including the grouper (Epinephelus marginatus) and seahorses (hippocampus hippocampus).
The Minister of the Environment Maria da Graça Carvalho is already in the Algarve today, to visit beaches and announce new investments to protect the coast, namely on Vau beach (Portimão) and on the beaches of Forte Novo and Garrão (Loulé).
Program:
17:30 pm Reception of participants
Port of Shelter of Albufeira
18:00 pm Opening Session
President of Albufeira City Council José Carlos Rolo
18:15 pm SpeedTalks with the President of the ICNF Board of Directors Nuno Banza
The protected area classification process
Oceano Azul Foundation, António José Correia
CCMAR Jorge Gonçalves
The importance of creating the PNMRA-PV for the region
Mayor Albufeira José Carlos Rolo
Mayor Lagoa Luís Encarnação
Mayor Silves Rosa Palma
The natural values of PNMRA-PV
Regional Director of Nature Conservation and Forests of the Algarve Castelão Rodrigues
The Compensation Mechanism for Commercial Fishing in the PNMRA-PV
Armação de Pêra Fishermen's Association, Manuel João Prudêncio
Albufeira Fishermen's Association, Miguel Reis
Director of the Environmental Fund, Marco Rebelo
19:00 pm Closing Session
Secretary of State for Fisheries Cláudia Monteiro de Aguiar
Minister of Environment and Energy Maria da Graça Carvalho
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